Welcome from David Killeen
Chairperson

Hello, and welcome to the Irish Franchise Association website. We want it to be a valuable and informative resource on the business concepts that underlie franchising. The site is intended to be of use to franchisors and franchisees alike, as well as to those looking for an opportunity to start a new business, build on an existing enterprise, diversify into additional product areas, or create export markets.

Finding a franchise

Each year, franchising is becoming part of the fabric of people's lives as it provides an ever increasing array of familiar products and services. For the person who wants to start a business, finding a franchise has never been easier.

The website has many resources to assist you in your evaluation of franchising, and the site map makes it easy for you to make contact with any of our members or professional advisers. The Directory is linked to our members' own websites.

Franchising seminars

Seminars are held periodically around the country, so if you are thinking of taking up a franchise or of franchising your business, I urge you to attend one of our workshops to get independent franchising advice and have your questions answered. Dates and venues of seminars will be posted on the site.

I hope the website will be useful to you as a source of reliable and useful information about franchising.

David Killeen

PRESS RELEASE

 

Top franchises announced at Ulster Bank Irish

Franchise Association Awards 2010

 

Left to right: Orna Stokes, Senior Manager Head of Specialist Sectors, Ulster Bank; Andy Hennessey and Gerry Riordan from Fastway Couriers, Michael McQuillan from the streat, John Green from Chem-dry Ireland, Tom Duke from Caremark, David Killeen Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association, John Damson from Snap Printing and Michael O Hara from Signs Express.

 

On Friday, February 19th at Croke Park, Dublin the winners of the Irish Franchise Awards 2010 were announced at a formal black-tie award ceremony officiated by Mr Conor Lenihan, Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation and presented by popular media personality Tom McEnaney.  The Irish Franchise Awards Sponsored by Ulster Bank recognises excellence in franchising and rewards outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the franchise industry. The top honours this year went to The Streat, Fastway Couriers Ireland, Snap Printing, Signs Express, Caremark and John Green of Chem-dry Ireland. Other finalists for awards this year included Home Instead Senior Care, Abrakebabra Investment Ltd, O2, Subway, Action Coach, Eddie Rockets, Kendlebell, TaxAssist Accountants, Kids Party Club, Motivation Weight Management Clinic and Tone at Home.

 

This year, the Irish Franchise Awards ran in conjunction with the Ulster Bank Irish Franchise Association EXPO which took place on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th of February.  The purpose of the exhibition was to act as a showcase for Irish franchisors and the franchising sector displaying excellent franchise opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on business format franchising.  The exhibition featured over 45 exhibitors and provided extensive information and advice for individuals interested in franchising.  The EXPO also featured educational seminars covering all aspects of Franchising from legal matters to finance with interesting case studies and strategic management advice. Mr Samek Sen won the prestigious self employment & business coaching programs competition by The Entrepreneurs Source in partnership with Michael Gerber of E-Myth Worldwide. This is valued at over €6,000.

 David Killeen, Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association said “the success of this year’s EXPO is testament to the strength and popularity of franchising as a business model, particularly as a way of starting up a new business.  This was the first year that the Association took on the management of the EXPO with the support of Ulster Bank and we are delighted with the response from both visitors and exhibitors.  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our award entrants, especially the winners and to sincerely thank Ulster Bank for their ongoing support of the franchise sector.”

Orna Stokes, Senior Manager, Specialist Sectors, Ulster Bank added;

“Ulster Bank is proud to be associated with the 2010 Irish Franchise Awards and Expo; Our Association with these events reaffirms our long standing commitment to the franchise sector in Ireland. Congratulations to all the winners who have shown great enterprise and innovation against the backdrop of a more competitive and challenging market environment.  We would also like to recognise the great work done by the Irish Franchise Association in encouraging and supporting the growth of franchising across Ireland.”

ENDS

Editors Notes

 

Award winners 2010

 

Finalists for Franchise of the Year  (Retail) Presented By: Orna Stokes of Ulster Bank were Abrakebabra Investments Ltd; The Streat; O2 and Subway

 

Winner: the streat

The Streat Franchising Ltd is one of Irelands leading café franchises offering fresh food, quality coffee and award winning service in comfortable surroundings. Born and bred in Belfast 11 years ago, the business has been franchising for over 5 years and there are currently 34 cafes in the network across Ireland and Scotland. Plans for the business include further growth in both countries as well as expansion into England. Recent acquisition of the company by the Henderson Group, best known for their Northern Ireland Spar franchise network, means that the streat is well positioned to develop both the existing café network and other exciting food and coffee franchise concepts.         

 

Finalists for Franchise of the Year (Service) presented by: Robert Tyrrell of Campion Insurance were Fastway Couriers (Ireland); Chem-Dry Ireland Ltd; Home Instead Senior Care; Snap Printing; Action Coach and Signs Express

 

Winner: Fastway Couriers Ireland

Fastway Couriers (Ireland) is a multi award winning Franchise System which was established in New Zealand in 1983, in Ireland in 2002 and is the world’s largest courier franchise operator. The Fastway Couriers system prides itself on being economical, reliable and easy to use.  Using unique pre-paid labels and satchels, Fastway Couriers (Ireland) offer customers a next day local and nationwide parcel collection and delivery service, including Northern Ireland. They also launched a new delivery service to the UK in 2009. 2009 was a record year for Fastway. They saw an increase of 22% in the number of Courier Franchisees who invested in Fastway, substantial growth in customer numbers, 14% growth in parcel numbers and positive sales growth over 2008.

Finalists for Franchisee of the Year (Retail) Presented by Hilary Haydon and Fiona Cottell of Haydon Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers were John Dawson from Snap Printing St John Rogerson’s Quay and Donnybrook; Catherine & Peter Wilson of Eddie Rockets Kilkenny and Derek and Aisling Mullins, The Streat, Citywest & Tallaght

 

Winner: John Dawson, Snap Printing

With 13 printers in Dublin and 11 regional printers in Galway, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Cork, Snap Printing have people and the technology to help you not only design and print your logo but also promote your business and create and print your marketing pieces.

 

Finalists for Franchisee of the Year (Service) Presented by: Cian O Mongain, Sunday Business Post were Noeleen Cronin of Home Instead Senior Care in Blackrock, Co Dublin; Michael O'Hara of Signs Express, Sligo and Tony Clarke from Kendlebell, Naas

 

Winner: Michael O Hara, Signs Express

Established for 20 years, Signs Express is the UK and Ireland’s leading signs and graphics franchise. Operating within the lucrative B2B market place, franchisees require no industry experience as full training and ongoing support is provided.  Over the years Signs Express has gained an exceptional reputation within the industry as well as building an extensive network of 80 centres across both the UK and Ireland.  Signs Express is currently recruiting new franchisees on a national basis. A number of key territories are still available throughout Ireland as well as the opportunity to take over an existing franchise.

 

 

Finalists for Best Emerging Franchise Presented by: Arthur Doran - Ulster Bank were Kids Party Club; Tax Assist; O2; Caremark; Motivation Weight Management Clinic and Tone at Home

 

Winner: Caremark

Caremark provide care for anyone who wishes to remain in their own home, regardless of their disability, illness or situation.

Caremark Ireland is owned and operated by Tom and Maeve Duke and includes two company owned and company operated units in Dublin South and Dublin North.  As part of the franchise rollout strategy three highly qualified franchisees were selectively recruited between July and September 2009.  Significant investment has been made in the engagement of external expertise in best practice franchising, HSE procurement procedures and additional training for all staff with the objective of providing the Caremark franchise and its franchisees with the optimum opportunity to succeed.

 

Finalists for Franchise Person of the Year Presented by Lisa Keating, head of emerging and partner channels of O2

 

Ed Murphy from Home Instead Senior Care and John Green from Chemdry Ireland

Winner: John Green, Chem-dry Ireland

John Green is master franchisor, Ireland, for Chem-Dry carpet & upholstery cleaning franchise. Together with his brother Pat, he acquired the licence in 1989 and currently has 47 franchisees operating across the country. John is chairman of the Irish Franchise Association and a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. He was voted ‘Franchise Person of the Year’ in 2005 for his work in promoting franchising in Ireland.

 

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